A DRIVER has been seriously hurt after his van careered off a bridge in Birmingham and onto the M42 motorway below.

The man was thrown from his vehicle after the van left the A452 bridge, which crosses the M42 between junction 7 and 6 in Coleshill, and landed 30ft on the carriageway below, hitting a lorry, a van and a car.

The driver, who is in his 20s, suffered “significant” head and abdominal injuries in the incident, which happened at around 1.45pm.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

The southbound carriageway between junction 7 and 6 is currently closed and one lane on the northbound carriageway is also closed.

Long delays are expected.

Emergency crews were sent to the scene, including the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, which landed on the carriageway.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The driver of the van, a man in his 20s, was lying on the carriageway and being cared for by bystanders.

“He had suffered significant head and abdominal injuries. Due to the nature of the man’s injuries, the doctors decided to anaesthetise him on scene to help stabilise his serious condition.

“The medics and crews worked as a team to deliver emergency treatment before immobilising the man with a neck collar and spinal board.”

“The motorway was closed in both directions at the time to enable the air ambulance to land on the carriageway. The southbound carriageway remains closed following the incident.”

Two men who were travelling in the lorry were treated for shock and minor injuries, while a man from the car suffered back pain in the collision.

All three were checked over by ambulance staff and a medic but did not require hospital treatment.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said three fire crews from Sheldon, Solihull and Ward End fire stations were on the scene “within minutes” of the incident.

Crews remain at the site of the incident, making the area safe and assisting police in preserving the scene.